Rose of the Shires Ultra
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Rose of the Shires Ultra
The Rose of the Shires Ultra is a 54-mile circular ultra marathon in Northamptonshire. The route starts and finishes at Brixworth Country Park and passes through countryside, villages, towns, and two country parks. Approximately three-quarters of the course is on trail, with the remainder on roads. The route includes landmarks like Salcey Forest, the Grand Union Canal, and sections of the Nene Way, Midshires Way, and Northampton Round.
The course terrain includes 36.4 miles of cross-country trails, 15.6 miles of roads, and 1.8 miles of canal towpath. There is an elevation gain and loss of 2,315 feet (706m). The course is waymarked, but some navigation is required. A GPS tracker and voice navigation app are available to assist.
Six checkpoints are spaced 6-8 miles apart, providing water and snacks. The event has an overall cut-off time of 13.5 hours, with progressive cut-offs at each checkpoint. Prizes are awarded to the top three male and female finishers. Real-time GPS tracking is available. Parking is at Brixworth Country Park (charges apply). Participants must be over 18 years old. Baggage can be stored in a participant's car or at the finish.
Rosebud Marathon
The Rosebud Marathon covers the final 26.2 miles of the Ultra route. It starts at Ashton Road, Hartwell, with transport available from Brixworth Country Park for a small fee. The terrain mix for this marathon is 14 miles of cross-country trails, 10.4 miles of roads, and 1.8 miles of canal towpath. The elevation gain is 1,241 feet (378m) and loss is 1,308 feet (399m).
There are two checkpoints, at 9.5 miles (Gayton) and 17.7 miles (Nobottle), offering water and snacks. The event has an 8-hour cut-off. Prizes are awarded to the top three male and female finishers. Real-time GPS tracking is provided. Participants must be over 18. Baggage can be stored at the finish or in a car.
Relay Race Option
For the Ultra distance, a relay race is offered. The route is divided into seven legs of varying distances (8.7, 7.1, 7.4, 6.8, 7.7, 8, and 8.4 miles). Team options are:
- A 3-person team (with 1 driver).
- A 4-person team (with 1 driver).
- A 7-person team (with 2 drivers).
All team members receive a medal and merchandise at the finish. A GPS tracker acts as the baton.
General Information
Both events have separate registration times on race day. Parking is at Brixworth Country Park. A list of mandatory kit is required, including trail shoes, a mobile phone, a water bottle, a survival blanket, a waterproof jacket, a whistle, and a headtorch. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
